I Hate my Nose..!!!!!!!! RHINOPLASTY : “I don’t like my nose!!!!” How many times have we heard that statement by people around us? “My nose is too big / small!!” “Because of my nose deformity I feel that I’m not able to perform well at work…!!!” “People make fun of me, because of my nose!!!” These are a few of the remarks with which patients come to us. If we ask 100 people 95 % will say that they are not satisfied with their noses. But not everyone is so dissatisfied, that they come seeking correction. For the ones who come for correction a few things we have to think about. Are they really so dissatisfied with their noses?? Will a correction help them?? Will they be satisfied with the new nose?? Will it be acceptable?? Rhinoplasty is one of the most common operations performed by cosmetic surgeons. This procedure is designed to improve the appearance of the nose & involves any or all of the following procedures:
1. Reduction of forward projection of the nose
2. Removal of humps
3. Correction of deviation of the nose and the septum
4. Narrowing of the bridge of the nose
5. Narrowing the tip
6. Reduction of nostril size
7. Correction of depressed nose
Rhinoplasty in most cases involves modifying the underlying skeleton (bones and cartilage) to produce the necessary changes. The aim is to bring the nose in balance with the rest of the face. The nose has to be seen as part of the face rather than as a single entity alone. No single nose can be an ideal nose! A nose which looks beautiful one person will not necessarily look good on another person. Attempts are made to keep the nose in conformity with the rest of the face, keeping in mind the necessary specific changes which the patient came to us for. Many patients feel that the change in shape will be so much that it might be the subject of discussion amongst family & friends. But, in reality neither the patient nor the patient’s relatives or friends really remember the original shape of the nose a few weeks after surgery. The incisions for rhinoplasty are usually made inside the nose. The nasal skin is lifted away from the cartilage & bones. Then the necessary modifications to the skeleton (bones and cartilages) are made. The excess skin re drapes itself onto the new framework over a period of time. The procedure of rhinoplasty involves very minor changes in the region of millimeters, but the overall effect is of a balanced nose as with respect to the shape and size. Also the final result of the procedure is evident only after 3 months when all the swelling abates and the skin is well draped over the new framework. This is the normal healing period. The final results depend on the initial deformity, the healing capacity of the person and most importantly the skin type. People having thin skin have the best results as the results are better seen through thin skin. Hence females have better results as compared to males and westerners have better results as compared to most of our patients. In some cases the bridge of the nose is depressed whereas the rest of the nose is apparently normal. In such cases an augmentation rhinoplasty is performed. Augmentation is done by inserting either cartilage from the nose / ear or bone from the rib / hip or silicone implants. Each of the materials which are inserted, have their pro’s and cons which the surgeon will advise you about when you go in for the surgery. In others the whole nose is bulky where a reduction rhinoplasty is performed which will involve reduction of all the structures of the nose. As the face has to be viewed as a whole unit and the nose not being seen separately, sometimes it is seen that the chin is disproportionate making the face seem unbalanced. In such cases chin enlargement or reduction might be needed, which can be performed simultaneously to enhance the facial balance. Another aspect of rhinoplasty that has to be touched upon is the fact that so many people blame the nose for their lack of progress in work or life in general. The nose cannot be seen separately it is a part of the person and hence it alone cannot be the cause for any problems in life for the patient. Because it is the first thing that anybody sees as he or she wakes up in the morning, it’s the first to be blamed. In such cases a rhinoplasty might not solve the inherent problems and may not help in other aspects of a person’s life. Dr.D.S.A.Surindher www.cosmesisindia.com #Note: This article is the sole property of cosmesisindia.com and Dr.Surindher. No part may be reproduced in complete or in part without permission from Dr.Surindher.